EXCLUSIVE: Heinrich looks to bolster Native languages in Head Start while Trump pushes for English-only instruction
New legislation from U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich looks to strengthen Native language use in Tribal Head Start programs. The New Mexico Democrat introduced the Native Language Educators in Classrooms Act last month. Senator Alan Armstrong, a Republican from Oklahoma, is also a cosponsor of the bipartisan legislation.
If it becomes law, the bill will recognize the knowledge of elders and fluent Native language speakers, allowing them to bypass some degree requirements for Head Start programs. It would also recognize more credentials from Tribal colleges and universities.
The legislation comes…
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